Aliases for ALDH2 Gene
External Ids for ALDH2 Gene
Previous GeneCards Identifiers for ALDH2 Gene
This protein belongs to the aldehyde dehydrogenase family of proteins. Aldehyde dehydrogenase is the second enzyme of the major oxidative pathway of alcohol metabolism. Two major liver isoforms of aldehyde dehydrogenase, cytosolic and mitochondrial, can be distinguished by their electrophoretic mobilities, kinetic properties, and subcellular localizations. Most Caucasians have two major isozymes, while approximately 50% of Orientals have the cytosolic isozyme but not the mitochondrial isozyme. A remarkably higher frequency of acute alcohol intoxication among Orientals than among Caucasians could be related to the absence of a catalytically active form of the mitochondrial isozyme. The increased exposure to acetaldehyde in individuals with the catalytically inactive form may also confer greater susceptibility to many types of cancer. This gene encodes a mitochondrial isoform, which has a low Km for acetaldehydes, and is localized in mitochondrial matrix. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms.[provided by RefSeq, Mar 2011]
GeneCards Summary for ALDH2 Gene
ALDH2 (Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Family (Mitochondrial)) is a Protein Coding gene. Diseases associated with ALDH2 include alcohol sensitivity, acute and alcoholic neuropathy. Among its related pathways are Metabolism and Carbon metabolism. GO annotations related to this gene include oxidoreductase activity and aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD) activity. An important paralog of this gene is ALDH1A2.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes oxidize aldehydes to generate carboxylic acids for use in the muscle and heart. Numerous aldehyde dehydrogenase genes exist, of which ALDH2 is best known for its role in alcohol oxidation.